Ten of the 11 candidates for Honolulu City Council, District 3.

Special mail-in election

About 55,000 registered voters on the Windward side will have until April 23 to have their say in a special mail-in election to decide who will fill the seat on the Honolulu City Council left vacant by Barbara Marshall, who died in February after a battle with cancer. The District 3 race encompassing Waimānalo, Kailua and parts of Kāne'ohe has attracted 11 candidates, whose priorities range from creating a Windward County to supporting the Akaka Bill. Eight candidates have identified themselves as Native Hawaiians: Paul Akau, J. Ikaika Anderson, John Henry Felix, Wilson Kekoa Ho, Leona Mapuana Kalima, Keoki Leong, Sol Nalua'i and Pohai Ryan. — Lisa Asato

What is the No. 1 issue facing Native Hawaiians
in Honolulu City Council District 3,
and how do you propose to address it?

Paul H. Akau

Age: 45
Area of residence: Waimānalo
Occupation: Pastor, educator, self-employed
Highest education level: Master's degree in education curriculum studies

The major issue facing Native Hawaiians is the 'āina: land use, water rights and sustainability. These issues can be addressed in the following manner: 1) Support sustainable practices of traditional Native Hawaiian land and water use. 2) Provide support for traditional and cultural infrastructure through community, public and private organizations.

J. Ikaika Anderson

Age: 31
Area of residence: Waimānalo
Occupation: Senior legislative assistant to the late council member Barbara Marshall
Highest education level: Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and political science

The main issue facing the Hawaiian community is federal recognition for the Hawaiian people. As a City Council member, I wouldn't have jurisdiction over this issue, as it's in the arena of the federal government, but as an elected official of Hawaiian ancestry I'd have the responsibility to kōkua.

Tracy Nakano Bean

Age: 46
Area of residence: Kāne'ohe
Occupation: Hawaiian Airlines, in-flight department
Highest education level: Bachelor of Science, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, College of Tropical Agriculture

The No. 1 issue facing Native Hawaiians in this community and beyond is not being heard by the larger community. People of this 'āina know their community best. Honoring their wisdom and knowledge, while supporting grassroots efforts, will offer many solutions to problems currently affecting the land and people.

John Henry Felix

Age: 78
Area of residence: Kailua
Occupation: Chairman, president and CEO, HMAA (Hawai'i Medical Assurance Association)
Highest education level: Ph.D., public administration

I believe beach access is a kuleana of every Hawaiian, whether to provide sustenance from the sea's bounty or perform agelong practices with the ocean. Working with the state's Department of Land and Natural Resources and landowners to provide these access rights to Native Hawaiians would be wise.

Wilson Kekoa Ho

Age: 66
Area of residence: Waimānalo (Hawaiian homestead)
Occupation: Retired from retail banking and financial management
Highest education level: Bachelor's degree, Brigham Young University at Provo, Utah

We would like to get back 200 acres of ceded land promised 10 years ago in Waimānalo, from the military. We would like to use it for parks and playgrounds for children. I would also propose a senior citizen center to include day care, a wellness center and child mentoring.

Steve Holmes

Age: 57
Area of residence: Kailua
Occupation: retired
Highest education level: college

A poor economy is affecting all of Hawai'i's people, but especially Native Hawaiians. The best thing that city government can do is invest in public infrastructure projects to create jobs, much as President Obama has proposed. Taxpayers benefit when bids come in lower during a slow economy and interest rates are at an all time low.

Leona M. Kalima

Age: 56
Area of residence: Waimānalo
Occupation: Culture specialist
Highest education level: Some college

The common equalizer for District 3 is the economic recession. Sobering reality is – more will come. Paramount: Keep people working, in their homes and food on the table. Promote: getting the city's share of the stimulus, no unnecessary spending, no tax increases, asset leveraging, fiscal accountability, job creation, alternative workweeks.

Keoki Leong

Age: 29
Area of residence: Kailua
Occupation: Director, Senate Minority Research
Highest education level: Bachelor of Arts in justice administration

Homelessness, derived from a lack of economic opportunities and cultural sensitivities, is the No. 1 issue facing Native Hawaiians in Waimānalo through Kāne'ohe. As councilman, I would collaborate with the state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to promote community-driven shelters that offer educational enhancement opportunities and utilize traditional ideologies.

Sol Nalua'i, M.D.

Age: 69
Area of residence: Kāne'ohe, 32 years
Occupation: Retired physician/surgeon; businessman
Highest education level: M.D., Ph.D.

The primary issue is self-sufficiency, and I propose to petition Windward communitywide input for our new municipal government, the "Windward County," where our economic foundation is farming, fishing and ranching, benefitting both Hawaiians and non-Hawaiians equally to get back to mālama 'āina and mālama i ke kai.

Tom Pico Jr.

Age: 65
Area of residence: Kailua
Occupation: Attorney, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
Highest education level: Law school

The economy and unemployment are everyone's No. 1 issue. The city must make every effort to secure federal and state funding to balance its budget and invest in infrastructure improvements to create jobs and reduce unemployment in our city.

Pohai Ryan

Age: 47
Area of residence: Kailua
Occupation: Legislative office manager for state Sen. Brickwood Galuteria
Highest education level: Honor graduate, Windward Community College

The economy is the top issue facing all of Hawai'i, including District 3. As a council member, I will support the hiring of local residents to comprise the majority of labor in all major capital improvement projects, including O'ahu Rail Transit. Local labor should also earn the prevailing wage scale.